Montavilla News

16/07/2024

In 2022, a California-headquartered real estate investment and management company purchased the Plaza 205 retail complex east of Mall 205. For over a decade, the struggling retail destination at SE 103rd and Washington Street followed the shopping mall decline seen across the country with prolonged vacancies and empty parking lots. Since taking ownership, Red Mountain Group has leveraged its relationship with the Asian supermarket chain…...

In 2022, a California-headquartered real estate investment and management company purchased the Plaza 205 retail complex east of Mall 205. For over a decade, the struggling retail destination at SE…

15/07/2024

On July 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Montavilla Farmers Market will host a Berry Bash Summer Celebration in the Montavilla Plaza on SE 79th Avenue at SE Stark Street. Attendees can receive free berry recipe tastings and make shortcake treats. The event will feature live music and berry sales from market vendors. Threshold Brewery will host a beer garden at the plaza during the celebration....

On July 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Montavilla Farmers Market will host a Berry Bash Summer Celebration in the Montavilla Plaza on SE 79th Avenue at SE Stark Street. Attendees can receive free berr…

12/07/2024

The replacement Holgate Library will reopen to the public on July 13th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and three days of events. The entirely new two-story mass timber facility at 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard replaces the former single-story Library and is the first new branch building constructed since 2010. The Multnomah County-run location hosts thousands of new books but also features many other community-supporting resources that help ensure all county residents have access to digital tools and young guests have dedicated areas to do more than read....

The replacement Holgate Library will reopen to the public on July 13th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and three days of events. The entirely new two-story mass timber facility at 7905 SE Holgate Bo…

11/07/2024

Q – Why are there so many misaligned streets in Montavilla? A – I understand your puzzlement. I wondered the same thing when I moved to Montavilla. It was confusing. As a driver, I’d have to make two turns instead of driving straight ahead on the same street. As a pedestrian, I could not cross from corner to corner...

Q – Why are there so many misaligned streets in Montavilla? A – I understand your puzzlement. I wondered the same thing when I moved to Montavilla. It was confusing. As a driver, I’d have…

11/07/2024

10/07/2024

This weekend, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will close a five-mile section of Interstate 84 between Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. The 13-hour overnight closure will last from 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13th to noon Sunday, July 14th. Vehicle traffic in both directions must detour around the freeway for east-west travel, potentially adding more cars onto Montavilla Streets. Union Pacific Railroad and TriMet will also suspend most rail usage through Sullivan's Gulch, clearing the way for crews to remove graffiti and accumulated trash safely....

This weekend, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will close a five-mile section of Interstate 84 between Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. The 13-hour overnight closure will last from 11…

09/07/2024

Miller Paint's newest location at 9312 SE Stark Street will officially open on July 15th, with a week-long celebration running through the 20th. On Thursday, July 18th, people can join the paint store staff for a BBQ event from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Cookout guests will receive free grilled food and refreshments and could win raffled giveaways. Customers will receive discounts on all paint and painting supplies throughout the opening week....

Miller Paint’s newest location at 9312 SE Stark Street will officially open on July 15th, with a week-long celebration running through the 20th. On Thursday, July 18th, people can join the pa…

08/07/2024

On Saturday, July 13th, Montavilla Brew Works will celebrate nine years of serving locally brewed beer with an all-ages event from noon to 9 p.m. Although this event commemorates the years since this pioneering neighborhood destination greeted guests, it represents a decade of work for founders Melissa and Michael Kora, who nurtured this ten-barrel brewery and taproom through good and challenging times....

On Saturday, July 13th, Montavilla Brew Works will celebrate nine years of serving locally brewed beer with an all-ages event from noon to 9 p.m. Although this event commemorates the years since th…

08/07/2024

Milepost 5 Studios Artists Collective will host a show July 11th through the 14th at 850 NE 81st Avenue.
— “A year in the making - see the premier of Sarah L. Gerhardt’s Fairytale Series. These abstract/found art paintings and interactive pieces are a small window into her life through the dark lens of many fairytales we all know. In the lobby gallery we will be showcasing other abstracts by our featured artist alongside pieces from members of the Milepost 5 Studios Artists Collective (a tenant founded & operated 501c3 nonprofit) past and present.”

05/07/2024

On December 5th, 2023, Waseem Elaibi opened Stop By Bakery & Deli at 8245 SE Division Street near Portland Community College's southeast campus. The owner and chief baker migrated from Iraq in 2016, bringing traditional baking skills first honed in his youth. The menu features halal-compliant foods and many freshly baked items, including samoon, an Iraqi bread enjoyed by many cultures throughout neighboring regions....

On December 5th, 2023, Waseem Elaibi opened Stop By Bakery & Deli at 8245 SE Division Street near Portland Community College’s southeast campus. The owner and chief baker migrated from Ir…

02/07/2024

In March 2022, Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks. This restriction includes Independence Day celebrations, particularly with the hot and dry weather expected this holiday weekend. Portland Fire & Rescue (PP&R) encourages people to attend the professional fireworks displays presented throughout the region. Montavilla residents can often view the South Waterfront Blues Festival…...

In March 2022, Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks. This restriction includes Independence Day celebrations, particularly with the hot and dry w…

30/06/2024

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently released an updated concept design for the 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project alongside results from the bureau's public outreach. Changes to the design reduced the number of median planted trees due to mid-street utility conflicts and combined two options for left turn handling at NE Davis Street. Plans also include a short westbound bus-only lane on NE Glisan Street west of 82nd Avenue....

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently released an updated concept design for the 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project alongside results from the bureau’s p…

29/06/2024

Meg Cotner reviews Thang Long Cuisine, located in the former Thai Fresh space. Read about it in her first review for Montavilla News “Thang Long Cuisine – Vietnamese Food You Want To Eat” https://montavilla.net/2024/06/29/thang-long-cuisine-vietnamese-food-you-want-to-eat/

29/06/2024

Disclosure: this meal was comped but my opinions are my own. Thang Long Cuisine, located in the former Thai Fresh space, opened in April of this year. They have been updating their menu recently, and I was invited to stop by and taste a few things on it. The publisher of the Montavilla News, Jacob Loeb, was my dining companion....

Disclosure: this meal was comped but my opinions are my own. Thang Long Cuisine, located in the former Thai Fresh space, opened in April of this year. They have been updating their menu recently, a…

26/06/2024

On June 24th, crews installed a new intersection safety camera system to monitor southbound traffic on 82nd Avenue at E Burnside Street. The next day, workers returned to add two new camera systems at NE Glisan Street and 82nd Avenue. Those will focus on traffic traveling northbound and westbound. After a short testing period around September, motorists running red lights or speeding past these automated devices will receive a citation in the mail....

On June 24th, crews installed a new intersection safety camera system to monitor southbound traffic on 82nd Avenue at E Burnside Street. The next day, workers returned to add two new camera systems…

24/06/2024

Matthew Jacobson, co-founder of Sizzle Pie, purchased a multi-building property at 7323 NE Glisan Street in August 2022. Months later, Jacobson purchased a second property on the block at the corner of NE 74th Avenue and Glisan, currently serving as the construction office for a neighboring affordable housing project. Over the last few months, a new anchor tenant in the Glisan Street frontage has reshaped the prominent space to serve as their architecture firm's regional office, while other trades-related businesses occupy the building spaces located between NE 74th Avenue and NE 73rd Avenue....

Matthew Jacobson, co-founder of Sizzle Pie, purchased a multi-building property at 7323 NE Glisan Street in August 2022. Months later, Jacobson purchased a second property on the block at the corne…

21/06/2024

Last Thursday night on June 20th, Fressen Artisan Bakery opened its seasonal Biergarten, offering beer, wine, and a dinner menu. At the start of summer, Fressen at 7075 NE Glisan Street runs nighttime service Thursday through Saturday every week until the end of the Oktoberfest season. Diners can enjoy pretzels, Schnitzel, and house-made spaetzle egg noodles alongside a selection of beers on tap....

Last Thursday night on June 20th, Fressen Artisan Bakery opened its seasonal Biergarten, offering beer, wine, and a dinner menu. At the start of summer, Fressen at 7075 NE Glisan Street runs nightt…

20/06/2024

Q - When did the Montavilla Park swimming pool open? A - The public swimming pool in Montavilla Park formally opened on July 28, 1930, nine years after the park itself. In the park’s early years, other types of recreation took priority. Two baseball diamonds were built in 1921, a playground in 1925, and tennis courts in 1927. Montavilla Pool 2023, photo by Jacob Loeb…...

Q – When did the Montavilla Park swimming pool open? A – The public swimming pool in Montavilla Park formally opened on July 28, 1930, nine years after the park itself. In the park’s ea…

17/06/2024

This Friday, June 21st, BoneJax will host a free literary event featuring authors reading excerpts from their recently published short stories collected in the "Defining Moments" anthology. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. people can gather in the vintage home furnishings store at 8040 SE Stark Street to listen to stories from LGBTQ+ lives and ask questions of the authors....

This Friday, June 21st, BoneJax will host a free literary event featuring authors reading excerpts from their recently published short stories collected in the “Defining Moments” anthol…

14/06/2024

Montavilla Pool will not open on June 20th alongside Portland Parks & Recreation's (PP&R) other outdoor pools. The seasonal public swimming facility requires the fabrication and installation of a new pool drain cover to meet federal safety compliance for pools and spas. The pool has been closed to the public since August 25th, 2023, when a young swimmer was found unresponsive in the pool and later died…...

Montavilla Pool will not open on June 20th alongside Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) other outdoor pools. The seasonal public swimming facility requires the fabrication and insta…

14/06/2024

NE Glisan Street and E Burnside Street are congested due to an eastbound Interstate 84 closure. ODOT crews are diverting drivers off the freeway at NE 68th Avenue onto NE Halsey Street to go eastbound. As that route clogs other roadways fill with motorists and freight vehicles. The closure is due to an early morning fatale crash.

13/06/2024

When Portland Public Schools close for summer on June 14th, families will need a way to fill the gap left in their children's daytime schedule. For many kids, school offers activities and services beyond education. Some students rely on school as their only structured playtime with peers and depend on the free lunch program for a midday meal. Thanks to funds provided by the 2020 voter-approved…...

When Portland Public Schools close for summer on June 14th, families will need a way to fill the gap left in their children’s daytime schedule. For many kids, school offers activities and ser…

12/06/2024

Last May, Rose City Reimagined purchased the 1925-era single-family residence at 604 SE 78th Avenue and the adjacent 50-foot by 50-foot lot that served as the home's backyard. Development team Dallis Raynor and Antoine Dean began work to restore the original home, which had suffered years of neglect and damage from squatters. Crews will spend the next 45 days updating the 1,028-square-foot house as they prepare it for sale....

Last May, Rose City Reimagined purchased the 1925-era single-family residence at 604 SE 78th Avenue and the adjacent 50-foot by 50-foot lot that served as the home’s backyard. Development tea…

10/06/2024

Starting June 10th, Portland trash haulers will collect appropriately contained batteries with curbside glass recycling. City residents with trash service at a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex should place used batteries in a clear, sealed one-quart bag and set it on top of glass recyclables. Labeled alkaline batteries can go straight into the bag, while all others need the positive and negative terminals covered by tape to prevent fires....

Starting June 10th, Portland trash haulers will collect appropriately contained batteries with curbside glass recycling. City residents with trash service at a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex s…

10/06/2024

Nonprofit Oregon Values and Beliefs Center is conducting a survey of Portlanders to gauging their feelings about the city, city government, and their hopes for the future of Portland. People can participate at ovbc.info/2024_PDX. Participants can opt in to a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

The group will make the data publicly available once the survey is finished and share the findings with Montavilla News for a future article. It is critical that they hear from as many Portlanders as possible so decision makers can accurately address the issues in the City and support efforts most important to its residents.

08/06/2024

The new owner of a corner lot at 9144 SE Alder Street will construct three new townhomes on the backside of an existing 1947-era single-family residence. Each new townhouse will offer residents around 1,400 square feet of living space spanning three levels. The new homes will contain three bedrooms with two-and-a-half bathrooms. Units will face SE 92nd Avenue and receive addresses on that street....

The new owner of a corner lot at 9144 SE Alder Street will construct three new townhomes on the backside of an existing 1947-era single-family residence. Each new townhouse will offer residents aro…

07/06/2024

After a two-year delay, the new owner of 37 NE 78th Avenue will continue the eight-unit townhome development first proposed in 2022. The new homes will span two buildings, flanking a shared center driveway. The six off-street units will stand three stories tall and have an attached single-car garage. The two street-facing units offer two floors of living space and will not include attached parking for residents....

After a two-year delay, the new owner of 37 NE 78th Avenue will continue the eight-unit townhome development first proposed in 2022. The new homes will span two buildings, flanking a shared center …

03/06/2024

On Thursday, June 6th, Ranch Pizza will open its eighth location at 7940 SE Stark Street on Montavilla's historic main street. That same morning, the pizzeria's sister business, Loro Coffee, will welcome customers from its second location, which shares this storefront. Ranch Pizza owners intend to make the Stark Street location the home base for their growing organization, using it to develop new ideas for their local restaurant chain....

On Thursday, June 6th, Ranch Pizza will open its eighth location at 7940 SE Stark Street on Montavilla’s historic main street. That same morning, the pizzeria’s sister business, Lo…

02/06/2024

Q – How did Montavilla get its name? A – Two myths have been circulated regarding how Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood got its name. One is that it is a contraction of Mt. Tabor Village. The other is that it was shortened to fit on destination signs on Montavilla streetcars. Neither is true. Rather, Montavilla is a contraction of Mount Tabor Villa Addition, our neighborhood’s first subdivision....

Q – How did Montavilla get its name? A – Two myths have been circulated regarding how Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood got its name. One is that it is a contraction of Mt. Tabor Village. The othe…

01/06/2024

Happing now, June 1st, the NE Glisan block party from noon to 5 p.m. at NE Glisan Street and NE 70th Avenue.